as for shifting, i found that if i stayed in first thru the box and shifted up right after the first cone in the slalom, it smoothed me out and kept my speeds up decently until right before i made the big U-Turn, where i popped it back to 1st so i didn't bog down going into that nice horseshoe curve. i stayed in 2nd all the way until right before the box when i'd pop it back into 1st.

that's usually what I do, and did the first few runs.. but, it wasn't working out for me. I was over shifting. i was able to keep it in first since, at my fastest speed i'd be at where i'd need to shift redlining, but, i'd have to slow down as soon as i shifted.. so i kept it in first and i was driving smoother too because i wasn't shifting to and fro. i was able to drive a lot better because of my concentration being on driving and not shifting. so... yeah. it really depends on the course too. unless i'm way up there in second, i shouldn't be shifting that much. my boost doesn't kick in for awhile so often when i'm in second i'm going slow 'cuase i got no power.... aye-aye-aye. just more stuff to figure out in the long run heh. but, i'm learning, step-by-step.